Rights of citizens must have primacy over entitlements of elites - Ó hEára

Andrew Quinn

Sinn Féin Westminster candidate, Gearóid Ó hEára has said the rights of citizens must have primacy over the entitlements of elites.

Speaking to the ‘Journal’, Mr. Ó hEára said the up-and-coming election was a chance for the electorate in Foyle to say ‘no’ to the Conservative/Liberal Democrat Coilition of the previous parliament.

“Sinn Féin wants to end austerity and replace it with prosperity, growth and equality.

“That means we need to get the powers to do it back from London.

“We need to assert the rights of citizens over the entitlements of elites.

“This election allows the people to say no to austerity and no to a British government of the elites imposing undemocratic policies on the people here,” he said.

Mr. Ó hEára went on to say that by chosing to vote against austerity the people of Derry would essentially be sending a direct message to the main party leaders that the North of Ireland was in the hands of the people.

“It will also send a message to David Cameron and Ed Miliband that the future belongs to the people who share this island not the millionaires and old boys clubs.

“If elected MP, I pledge to be a tireless ambassador for Foyle.

“That means fighting to ensure that Foyle is firmly established as the place to come for investors and tourists alike. That it is truely the North West Gateway. It means fighting to have economic and fiscal powers transferred away from London.”

Mr. Ó hEára went on to explain how, if elected on May 7, he would help to stimulate the local economy and how he would work in partnership with the Ministerial Sub-Group set-up to help the North West.

“It means creating the proper economic conditions for corporation tax responsibility to be transferred in a climate of stability where it will create jobs without affecting funding for public services.

“It means standing up to fight the austerity agenda which is bad for people and bad for the economy.”

Mr. Ó hEára added: “I will work closely with the Ministerial Sub-Group on Regional Opportunities, initiated by deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, to ensure that the focus is maintained on the creation and retention of jobs in the North West.”